The much awaited Indo-Lanka Test series will commence on 12th August in Galle and the tour was officially launched at a media conference held at Taj Samudra Hotel on Wednesday evening.
The Secretary of Sri Lanka Cricket, Prakash Schaffter made the welcome speech, “On behalf of the interim committee of SLC, I would like to welcome Virat Kohli and his Indian team. We are extremely happy to host our neighbours and I hope this will be a very exciting series.”
Sri Lanka captain, Angelo Mathews expressed his thoughts on the upcoming series, “This will be a quick turnaround from the Pakistan series, we have to stay positive and win all games. I hope that two teams are all geared up to showcase to the world some of the best cricket.”
Angelo spoke on the injury concerns of the Sri Lanka team, ”Most probably Dushmantha Chameera and Suranga Lakmal will be out of the first Test. Rangana Herath is completely fit but I have still not recovered from my hand injury. The physiotherapist and I have been closely monitoring the progress and hopefully I will be fit on time.
Indian skipper Virat Kohli shared his views on the forthcoming three-match series, “ Sri Lanka remains a special place in my heart. I played my first international match here and this time around we have come here to play good cricket and win.”
The legendary Kumar Sangakkara will be playing his final two Test matches and all the spotlight during this series will be on the batting wizard’s swansong.
Indian batting star and captain Virat Kohli made his comments on the Lankan batting legend, “ Sangakkara deserves a great farewell. I am sure every left-hander in the world idolizes him. He and I have shared a very good relationship on and off the field and we all respect him a lot.“
Mathews too spoke on his former captain,” Best way to send-off Sangakkara is to win the series. “
